Gwenaëlle

Meaning: (“Blessed and Generous” from Breton Gwenn “White, Fair, Blessed” and Hael “Generous”. Saint Gwenhael was a 6^th Century abbot of Brittany. Modern feminine form of Breton Gwenaël, feminine form of Gwenaël.)

Origin: (Welsh, French, Breton)

Pronunciation: (gwen-a-EL (French))

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

I forget where I saw this name first but I really liked the look of it and of course it has the Gwen at the beginning as a lot of Welsh names have it and so this is a great alternative to the more common Gwen names. The meanings are very beautiful and lovely! The male original spelling has a long history of use and so I assume one could maybe get away with using this more modern feminine spelling in a historical fiction novel or I even think this would look absolutely lovely and perfect in a fantasy novel. See similar names Gwendola, Gwenllian, Gwen- Gana, Gwenora, and Gwendolyn *see all listed here on list of posts*.

Maelle

Meaning: (Ambitious, Goal Oriented, Prince, Princess, Variant of Almeda. Derived from the word Mael meaning ‘Disciple, Prince, Chief’.)

Origin: (Latin, Celtic, English, Breton, French)

Pronunciation: (MAH-el, my-ELLE)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I forget now where I first saw this but I at first didn’t like it but after a few minutes of looking at it I was like that is kind of pretty yet strong. It is a name I could see on a female character but being Uni-Sex I think it would be best as a surname on a male character.  The meanings are really good and strong and regal. Good Female Nicknames: Mae and Elle. 

Joss

Meaning: (He will Enlarge, One of the Goths, Little Goth, A member of the Germanic tribe, the Gauts, Lord, Originally a diminutive of Jocelyn, which used to be a masculine name or Joshua. Joss Whedon, television writer and Joss Stone, singer.)

Origin: (English, Hebrew, Old French, Breton, Old German)

Pronunciation: (JAHS, JHAOS)

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was watching a movie the other day. It was like a thriller / mystery. The main persons name was Joss. I was like that’s short but kind of cute. I looked up the name but I saw it was just a nickname for Jocelyn. I have heard the name used in movies and books but I just don’t really like the look of it. (I know a Jocelyn in real life so I don’t want her or any other Jocelyn’s to think I am downing there name.) Jocelyn is a fine name I just can’t see using it on any of my characters in my novels. Joss on the other hand is a good stand alone name and is super cute like I have said. The meanings are all right as well.